Musta hepo: Kertova saaristolaisrunoelma

Set against the rugged archipelago of early 20th‑century Finland, this lyrical epic follows the arrival of a mysterious vessel known as the Black Horse. The crew—Körtsi, a seasoned fisherman from Estonia, his two sons Iikka and Risto, and the island’s elder seafarer Matsas—must navigate both unfamiliar waters and the wary eyes of local residents such as the sharp‑eyed Niklas and his lively granddaughter Iine. Through vivid descriptions of creaking rigging, gull‑filled skies and the hum of daily island life, the poem paints a lively portrait of a community caught between tradition and the lure of the sea.

As the newcomers settle, they share the haunting tale of the Black Horse, a cursed ship that once prowled the Baltic, its legend passed down through hushed songs around the fire. The islanders listen, their imaginations sparked, while tensions rise between the promise of abundant catches and the fear of old grievances resurfacing. The narrative weaves together myth and reality, inviting listeners to feel the salt‑sprayed air, hear the clatter of oars, and wonder what unseen forces the sea might still hold.